Dick's suspends ‘modern sporting rifle' sales

Published: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:27 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 11:27 a.m.

Some in the business world sought Tuesday to distance themselves from the mass killings at a Connecticut elementary school that have brought gun sales under scrutiny.

Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management said it is selling Freedom Group, the maker of the Bushmaster rifle reported to have been used in the attack last week that killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

Gun retailers also reacted.

Dick’s Sporting Goods suspended sales of what it called “modern sporting rifles” in all of its stores, including in Wilmington.

And, Wal-Mart pulled the information page on the Bushmaster from its website.

But two local gun retailers said they planned no changes in how they market their weapons.

Bullzye owner Charlie Lewis explained that semi-automatic rifles and shotguns carry clips and can be fired without being reloaded. However, the trigger must be pulled for each firing.

With an automatic weapon, the gun will continue to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, he said.

Dick’s said on its website that “we are extremely saddened by the unspeakable tragedy ... and our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to the entire community.

“Out of respect for the victims and their families, during this time of national mourning we have removed all guns from sale and from display in our store nearest to Newtown and suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of our stores chainwide.”

It wasn’t clear what the store meant by “modern sporting rifles.”

Representatives of Dick’s did not respond to press inquiries Tuesday. The manager of the Dick’s store in Wilmington, at 816 S. College Road, referred questions to the store’s national headquarters.

Last month, when revealing earnings for Dick’s third quarter, CEO Edward Stack said that gun sales “have spiked since the election.”

“We expect that the gun and ammunition business will move to be a slightly bigger part of our business going forward and that will help the earnings,” he said in a conference call with analysts.

Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kory Lundberg said an information page on its web site “regarding this model of gun was taken down in light of the tragic events,

“But this product was never available for purchase on the web site,” Lundberg said.

However, she also said that Wal-Mart had “made no change to the assortment of guns we sell in our stores.”

Wal-Mart remains “dedicated to the safe and responsible sale of firearms in areas of the country where they are sold,” Lundberg said.

Cerberus said Tuesday that by removing its association with Freedom and Bushmaster, it hopes to avoid “being drawn into the national debate.”

Beyond its financial ties to the shooting, Cerberus has a history in Newtown.

Martin Feinberg, father of Cerberus founder and CEO Stephen Feinberg, lives in the town, according to Bloomberg News.

<p>Some in the business world sought Tuesday to distance themselves from the mass killings at a Connecticut elementary school that have brought gun sales under scrutiny.</p><p>Private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management said it is selling Freedom Group, the maker of the Bushmaster rifle reported to have been used in the attack last week that killed 20 children and six adults at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.</p><p>Gun retailers also reacted.</p><p>Dick's Sporting Goods suspended sales of what it called “modern sporting rifles” in all of its stores, including in Wilmington.</p><p>And, Wal-Mart pulled the information page on the Bushmaster from its website.</p><p>But two local gun retailers said they planned no changes in how they market their weapons.</p><p>Shooter's Choice at 6780 Gordon Road will continue to sell semi-automatic weapons, manager Ricci Wright said Tuesday.</p><p>Bullzye at 5942 Market St. also said it will continue to sell them.</p><p>Bullzye owner Charlie Lewis explained that semi-automatic rifles and shotguns carry clips and can be fired without being reloaded. However, the trigger must be pulled for each firing. </p><p>With an automatic weapon, the gun will continue to fire multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, he said.</p><p>Dick's said on its website that “we are extremely saddened by the unspeakable tragedy ... and our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and to the entire community.</p><p>“Out of respect for the victims and their families, during this time of national mourning we have removed all guns from sale and from display in our store nearest to Newtown and suspended the sale of modern sporting rifles in all of our stores chainwide.”</p><p>It wasn't clear what the store meant by “modern sporting rifles.” </p><p>Representatives of Dick's did not respond to press inquiries Tuesday. The manager of the Dick's store in Wilmington, at 816 S. College Road, referred questions to the store's national headquarters.</p><p>Last month, when revealing earnings for Dick's third quarter, CEO Edward Stack said that gun sales “have spiked since the election.”</p><p>“We expect that the gun and ammunition business will move to be a slightly bigger part of our business going forward and that will help the earnings,” he said in a conference call with analysts.</p><p>Wal-Mart spokeswoman Kory Lundberg said an information page on its web site “regarding this model of gun was taken down in light of the tragic events,</p><p>“But this product was never available for purchase on the web site,” Lundberg said. </p><p>However, she also said that Wal-Mart had “made no change to the assortment of guns we sell in our stores.”</p><p>Wal-Mart remains “dedicated to the safe and responsible sale of firearms in areas of the country where they are sold,” Lundberg said.</p><p>Cerberus said Tuesday that by removing its association with Freedom and Bushmaster, it hopes to avoid “being drawn into the national debate.”</p><p>Beyond its financial ties to the shooting, Cerberus has a history in Newtown.</p><p>Martin Feinberg, father of Cerberus founder and CEO Stephen Feinberg, lives in the town, according to Bloomberg News.</p>